Biggest Challenges Faced By an Advocate at a Policy Advocacy Nonprofit
Lindsey's greatest challenge as an advocate, attorney, and swim coach is adapting to factors outside their control, a concept they describe as "holding things loosely" while focusing on "the things I can control." This approach, incorporating both internal locus of control and a willingness to embrace the necessary "step of faith" even when facing fear, demonstrates a flexible and adaptable approach to navigating the complexities of their multifaceted career.
Adaptability, Overcoming Challenges, Problem-Solving, Resilience, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lindsey Kirchhoff
Advocate, Attorney, and Swim Coach
Policy Advocacy Nonprofit
US Air Force Academy
Boston College, Master of Arts in Philosophy; Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Juris Doctor; Pepperdine Law Straus Institute, Master of Dispute Resolution
Anthropology, Sociology
Law
Operations and Project Management
Veteran, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Adapting to change and developing an internal locus of control: Lindsey emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you can control while acknowledging external factors that influence your work. This is a valuable skill for any professional.
2. The role of faith and stepping outside your comfort zone: Lindsey highlights the necessity of taking risks and embracing challenges, even when it involves a degree of uncertainty and fear. This is relevant for anyone considering a challenging career path.
3. Collaboration and decision-making in a group setting: Lindsey describes the process of reaching agreements and making decisions within an organization, such as the board of directors voting on resolutions. This illustrates the collaborative nature of many professional settings.
Transcript
What is the biggest challenge in your current role?
In my current role, the biggest challenge is adapting to change. In everyday life, there are things we can control, like when we wake up, as long as we feel motivated. We can also control simple actions such as drinking water or brushing our teeth first thing in the morning. These are things we often take for granted.
However, there are aspects outside our immediate control. For example, if I take a bus to work or school, I can't always control if the bus is on schedule. This illustrates how many things in our lives are beyond our direct influence.
In my role, I focus on the things I can control. In psychology, this is known as an internal locus of control. I take responsibility for what I can influence. Things outside my control, such as other organizations working on similar projects or laws passed in other states that could impact our work, affect our direction and tasks.
I approach this by taking responsibility for what I can control, while remaining aware of what I cannot. I hold these uncontrollable factors loosely, without gripping onto them. I then gather input, information, and perspectives from others.
For instance, in our organization, a decision might require a vote from the board of directors, with a certain number of approvals needed for a resolution to pass before we move forward.
Ultimately, the lesson is not to be afraid of what you can't control. There are many such things, but it’s important to be aware of them and consider them when planning your next move. This requires faith, whether in the workplace or in personal relationships.
There's always a step of faith required. If something feels entirely safe, it's likely not significant enough, challenging enough, or hard enough for you. You should feel a bit of fear or anxiety, a sense of uncertainty about whether you can accomplish it. That’s when you know you’re pursuing the right goal, at least in my opinion.